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8 great places to stay on the Great Barrier Reef

From international luxury resorts to more low-key abodes that take their cues from the abundant nature and wildlife, these are the best stays on the Great Barrier Reef.

By Paul Chai

Whether you choose to spend the night in a tree house that overlooks the wilds of the Daintree Rainforest, stay in the world-renowned luxury of qualia on Hamilton Island or lay your head footsteps from the natural wonders of the reef in a resort set in national park, you will have a memorable getaway on the Great Barrier Reef.

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, THE MARINA, CAIRNS

Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina,
Cairns, Queensland

Your accommodation at the 255-room Shangri La Cairns, situated right on the Cairns Marina, allows you to pull up a chair on your balcony and look out over the Great Barrier Reef. Rooms and suites are decorated in the calm blues, greys and silvers of the sea and all contain artworks from local artists. The North Bar and Kitchen offers dining right on the waterfront with views of Trinity Inlet and the Cairns Marlin Marina where you can have cocktails and a modern-Australian menu.

SHERATON MIRAGE PORT DOUGLAS RESORT, PORT DOUGLAS

Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort,
Port Douglas, Queensland

With the Great Barrier Reef in front and lush rainforest behind, the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort’s location at Four Mile Beach has been much-loved since the 1980s. A $20 million makeover in 2012 updated the property for a new generation who have the joy of emerging from the tropical gardens outside their five-star room and walking right onto the beach. The Mirage’s signature restaurant Feast offers alfresco dining on the poolside deck with ingredients sourced locally and simply grilled.

THALA BEACH NATURE RESERVE, PORT DOUGLAS

Thala Beach Nature Reserve,
Port Douglas, Queensland

With a prime location on rehabilitated coastal headland, the emphasis is definitely on nature at Thala. A short drive from Cairns airport, Thala Beach Nature Reserve is a family-owned haven offering a series of bungalows – and a large main building – that have been built to blend in with the surrounding forest. The resort helps you tune in to the natural surrounds with guided nature walks as well as information sessions run by the local indigenous community, the Kuku Yalanji. They will help guests learn the stories and culture of these ancient rainforest people.

LIZARD ISLAND RESORT, GREAT BARRIER REEF

Lizard Island Resort,
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Lizard Island Resort is set in more than 1000 hectares (2470 acres) of national park and has the Great Barrier Reef at its doorstep. At the resort guests can enjoy sunset picnics on one of the 20-odd private beaches, relax at the Essential Day Spa or sample the daily changing menu – featuring the very freshest local seafood – at Salt Water restaurant. There are a range of room options from Oceanview Villas and opulent Beachfront Suites to the ultimate privacy of The Villa, with unspoiled views of the Coral Sea.

BEDARRA ISLAND, GREAT BARRIER REEF

Bedarra Island,
Great Barrier Reef,
Queensland

The remote beauty of Bedarra makes it one of the best examples of luxury island stays on the reef. Bedarra offers just nine villas that are hidden away in 45 hectares (110 acres) of tropical rainforest and beautifully appointed with private plunge pools, enormous viewing decks overlooking the ocean and indoor-outdoor bathrooms. This all-inclusive resort has all you could dream of on-site but also organises charters to take guests onto the reef for snorkelling or diving trips.

SILKY OAKS LODGE, MOSSMAN

Silky Oaks Lodge,
Mossman, Queensland

Hidden among the treetops of the Daintree Rainforest, this luxury lodge-style resort is on the tranquil Mossman River and its location makes it easy to explore both the reef and the Daintree National Park. Rooms at Silky Oaks Lodge, such as the Daintree Treehouse, have a dark-wood interior, walk-in rain shower and private balcony with views over the river and rainforest. Guests can also visit the the lush tropical surrounds of the Healing Waters Spa, which uses natural clays, flowers and plant essences for its treatments.

HAMILTON ISLAND, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS

qualia, Hamilton Island,
Queensland

Perhaps the best-known luxury resort on the Great Barrier Reef, qualia is pure barefoot luxury nestled on the northern tip of Hamilton Island. The private pavilions are made of natural timber and stone and provide the ultimate vantage point to take in the views of the Whitsundays. In the south of the island, Hamilton Island Resort offers a range of accommodation from Palm Bungalows to the Beach Club, a 57-room adults-only boutique resort right on the beach.

HERON ISLAND, GREAT BARRIER REEF

Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef,
Queensland

Heron Island is a laidback resort situated right on the Great Barrier Reef with amazing dive sites directly off the beach. Some rooms are set back amid the island’s rainforest while others, such as the stand-alone Beach House, offer private beach access. It is a 100 per cent getaway experience thus the resort is proud of its lack of televisions and mobile phone reception. All the entertainment here comes from the natural world, from reef diving to up-close turtle experiences and watching the amazing array of marine bird life. The protected wildlife habitat is the ultimate in ecotourism with a scientific research station located on the island.

A visit to the Great Barrier Reef can be an emotional and unforgettable experience. Whether you fly over it, cruise on top of it or dive or snorkel one of its many famed sites, the size and beauty of this natural wonder will stay with you forever.

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